Democrats hold edge in State Assembly

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000 | 10:43 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Republicans gained a seat but Democrats will still control the Assembly in the 2001 Legislature, although they will likely have a new speaker.

Democrat Gene Segerblom, the oldest member of the Assembly at 82, was beaten by Republican David Brown in District 22 in Clark County. Segerblom, seeking a fifth term, could not overcome the 5,000 voter majority in her district that includes Boulder City, parts of Henderson and parts of rural Clark County. She was the only incumbent to lose in the Legislature in Tuesday's election.

Democrats, whose margin was 28-14 in 1999, slipped to 27-15 but it still gives the party a leg up in realigning the districts under reapportionment for the lower house.

"That looks good to me," said Assembly Speaker Joe Dini, D-Yerington, in talking about his party holding the majority for the third straight session. "I'm sorry to lose Segerblom. She was a good legislator."

Of the 42 Assembly members, 17 will be women. Three of those elected Tuesday will have no previous legislative experience.

Dini also hinted he will step down tonight and allow his protege, Assemblyman Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, become speaker at the next session. Democrats will caucus in Las Vegas tonight at the Luxor to elect a speaker.

"Richard Perkins deserves a chance to move up," Dini said. "We have to build for the future."

With Clark County gaining more control in the Legislature with reapportionment, Dini said it's important that the future leaders "don't bury the rurals and Washoe County." And he said Perkins won't do that.

Clark County has not held the speakership since 1983. Dini has been speaker a record eight times in regular sessions and when completing this term he will have served 36 years in the Assembly, longer than anyone in history.

Here are election results in Clark County:

Here are results in Washoe County:

Here are results in rural counties: